Inclusions
Exclusions
What's it all about?
Join us on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Sahelian culture. Our Gerewol Festival tour takes you deep into the lands of the Wodaabe nomads, where each year vibrant communities gather for one of Africa’s most spectacular celebrations.
Witness the dazzling Gerewol dances, where Wodaabe men adorn themselves with intricate face paint, feathers, and beads, competing in rhythmic beauty contests that have been passed down for generations. This immersive cultural adventure combines the festival with explorations of Chad’s striking landscapes and the warmth of its people, offering an authentic window into a living tradition rarely seen by outsiders.
Where?
N’Djamena – Dourbali – Gerewol – Gaoui – N’Djamena.
When?
October 4 – 10th, 2027
Visa?
We will apply for your Chad invitation letter which allows you to apply for the visa at an embassy or online through the new e-visa service.
Chad Tour - October 2027
October 4th | N'Djamena Arrival Day.
- Own arrival into N’Djamena. Airport transfers are provided to our hotel downtown.
- Today is mainly an arrival day so feel free to arrive at any time.
- Dinner and overnight in N’Djamena.
October 5th | N'Djamena - Dourbali.
- Begin the long drive from N’Djamena to Dourbali, and onto the Gerewol area to set up our camps. The journey can take anywhere from 6+ hours depending on the nomadic Wodaabe tribe’s location and the weather conditions.
- Overnight at the camp.
October 6th & 7th | Gerewol Festival
- The Gerewol Festival is one of Chad’s most vibrant and unique cultural events, celebrated by the Wodaabe people, a nomadic group within the larger Fulani ethnic community. This annual festival is a stunning showcase of beauty, dance, and courtship rituals.
- The festival is a key social event for the Wodaabe, serving as both a celebration and a way for young men and women to find potential partners. It is deeply rooted in the Wodaabe’s cultural values, particularly their emphasis on beauty, charm, and endurance. The festival is one of the few opportunities for members of different clans to meet, socialize, and form relationships.
- The highlight of the Gerewol Festival is the Yaake dance, a competitive beauty contest where young Wodaabe men, known as Gerewol dancers, compete to be recognized as the most handsome and charming. The men spend hours preparing for the event, applying intricate face paint, wearing traditional attire, and adorning themselves with feathers, beads, and jewellery. The face paint is often in vibrant colours like red, yellow, and white, with patterns that accentuate their facial features, particularly the symmetry of their faces and the whiteness of their teeth and eyes, which are highly prized traits
- During the Yaake dance, the men form a line and begin to sing and dance rhythmically, swaying their bodies and rolling their eyes to attract attention. Their movements are slow and deliberate, designed to show off their beauty and stamina. The judges of this contest are typically young women, who will select the most attractive man based on his appearance, charm, and the grace of his performance
- For the young women of the Wodaabe, the Gerewol is an opportunity to choose a partner, sometimes even for a first or second marriage. Unlike many other cultures where marriages are arranged by families, the Gerewol allows women a degree of freedom in selecting a partner based on personal preference. The festival’s atmosphere is festive and flirtatious, with a strong focus on romantic expression.
- The Gerewol is also an essential part of the Wodaabe’s nomadic lifestyle, as it typically coincides with the end of the rainy season when the group gathers in one location before beginning their migrations. The festival’s timing ensures that there is ample food and water, allowing the Wodaabe to focus on the celebrations without the immediate pressures of their pastoral lifestyle.
- We’ll fill the days exploring and mingling as well as eating and sleeping at our camp.
October 8th | Dourbali - N'Djamena
- In the afternoon we return to N’djamena, depending on the arrival time, to visit some points of interest in the city including:
- The Artisan Markets. Visit artisan markets like the Village Artisanal to see and purchase traditional crafts, including jewellery, pottery, and woven items made by local artisans.
- Overnight in N’Djamena.
October 9th | N'Djamena - Gaoui - N'Djamena
- Visit the N’Djamena Central Market. here you can shop for local goods, including traditional textiles, spices, and handicrafts. It’s an excellent spot for experiencing the daily life of the city and interacting with locals.
- Drive to Gaoui which was once the capital of the Sao civilisation. Here we will visit the former palace of the Sultan of Gaoui which is now a museum.
- Drive back to N’Djamena.
- Walk along Avenue Charles de Gaulle, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, lined with shops, cafes, and embassies. It’s a great place to get a feel for the city’s modern side.
- Dinner and overnight in N’Djamena.
October 10th| Departure
- Transfer to the airport.
- End of the Chad Gerewol Festival Tour.
Tour Map
What else?
Tour Notes
You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English-speaking local guides & fixers as well as your Rocky Road Travel guide. We visit Chad regularly, so we have maximized the itinerary accordingly. Given the unpredictable nature of travelling in Chad, the itinerary may change slightly, but we will always go above and beyond. We are in constant communication with our local partners on the ground who advise the safe routes to take.
Before the Chad tour, we will add you to a dedicated WhatsApp group so you can chat & share photos easily with your travel mates. Just let us know if you want to opt out of this.
To book simply hit the button below and start the conversation today.
Apply for your spot on the tour now or simply request more info below.
October 4 - 10th, 2027
Chad Gerewol Tour
Fly into N'djamena
Flights from Paris, Istanbul and Addis Ababa.
Hotel & Camping
6 nights in Chad
The price
€2450